The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimoreore

The Maryland Zoo, also known as The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and formerly known as The Baltimore City Zoo or the Baltimore Zoo, is a 135-acre park located in historic Druid Hill Park in the northwestern area of Baltimore, Maryland, (USA), with the postal address 1876 Mansion House Drive. Druid Hill was opened in 1876 as the City's first major park purchase under foreseeing Mayor Thomas Swann (1809-1883), (and later as Maryland's 33rd Governor, 1866-1869), and was later designed by famed nationally-known landscaper Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903)citation needed, with additional work on various park buildings contributed by future Baltimore City Hall architect George Park Commissioner John H.B. Latrobe (son of earlier famed British-American architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe1764-1820), who was also an accomplished lawyer, author, artist, amateur architect, and civic leader. Olmsted had previously won a design contest for New York City's famed Central Park in midtown Manhattan in 1858, a year after it opened, and worked on the massive public works project from 1858 to 1873. The Maryland Zoo has over 2,000 animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

History

The Council Grove Pavilion is located outside the zoo's main entrance.

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is widely regarded as the third (or, in some cases, second) oldest zoological park in the United States, having opened in 1876, sixteen years after the historic Park was purchased and opened to the public. Others believe it is the eighth oldest, with Roger Williams Park Zoo being the third oldest Citation required It was operated and supervised by the Baltimore City Board of Park Commissioners, which was established in 1860 with the first major city park at Druid Hill, and later by the city Department of Parks and Recreation, through their subordinate Bureau of the Zoo, for several decades in the twentieth century. It was later revealed

In 2004, the zoo encountered financial difficulties and was forced to temporarily reduce its collection size by closing sections of the zoo.The original Main Valley was closed due to its age, as it was incapable of holding animals comfortably with its older style of iron-barred cages and stone walls, and the Reptile House, which is located some distance away from the main zoo in an adjacent section of the Park, was also closed. The reptiles, as well as gibbons, tigers, and snow leopards, were transferred to other zoos and aquariums.

Baltimore's Maryland Zoo was included in "America's Best Zoos 2008" by 2008.

On September 28, 2021, the zoo reopened the original Main Valley to guests as a walking path, preserving the zoo's history.

While some bird species remain in the Crane Barn, which has been updated over the years, there are no animals in the old exhibits and cages because they are hopelessly outdated and non-functional. Animals will not be returning to the obsolete cages, but we have begun a planning process to consider ways to accommodate the return of animals to Main Valley at some point in the future." Kirby Fowler, President and CEO of the Maryland Zoo, stated

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has always been active in many conservation programmers, most notably "Polar Bears International," "Project Golden Frog," and their work with African black-footed penguins; the American zoo has bred the greatest number of African black-footed penguins.

 

Future Objectives

The Zoo announced a ten-year master plan on August 23, 2022, with the goal of improving the visitor experience and including new animal habitats.

It will also build a new 'Americas' zone with wolverines, porcupines, and a larger grizzly bear exhibit. The Gateway Building, located near the entrance, will house some reptiles and amphibians, including the Gila monster and Asian water monitor. Habitats for gibbons and Steller's sea eagles will be built in the Main Valley, as well as an events plaza at the Crane Barn. The bald eagle, snowy owl, and red wolf will have new habitats in the Maryland Wilderness. There will also be a safari camp, ropes course, and splash zone.